With the EV adoption rate rising significantly in recent years, the Government of India (GoI) has placed a strong emphasis on electrification in the commercial vehicle (CV) industry. The CV segment is poised to grow by 12% for electric buses and 20% for electric trucks by FY30, stated Mahesh Babu, Global CEO of SWITCH Mobility, during the 9th edition of the ETAuto EV Conclave 2024 held in New Delhi.
Several factors are shaping the future of electric CV mobility, including total cost of ownership (TCO), reliability, performance, connectivity, and safety & comfort. Babu highlighted the immense growth potential in the Indian CV market, particularly in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and buses. SWITCH Mobility is actively strategising to redefine commercial vehicle mobility through leadership in innovation, technology, and TCO.
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility”>Key features shaping the future of the CV industry
Connectivity
With electrification in commercial vehicles, vehicles are no longer just hardware-based but also integrate software and the latest technology. Features such as over-the-air updates, real-time monitoring, fleet management systems, vehicle autonomy, and V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication are becoming essential.
In EVs, the future will involve a connected EV ecosystem with higher efficiency optimisation, common charging sockets, lightweight structures, and machine learning-based predictive maintenance.
Safety
Increased vehicle connectivity has made safety a top priority. This focus not only revolutionises the EV driving experience but also creates a safer environment around the vehicle. Advanced safety features include driver drowsiness detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, automatic parking, collision avoidance systems, blind-spot detection, and lane-keeping assist.
Comfort
Technological innovations in the CV industry are set to enhance driver comfort, says Babu. Key advancements include adjustable seats, digital instrument panels (with consolidated information), 360-degree parking cameras, advanced keyless entry, climate control (HVAC), and steering-mounted controls.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
SWITCH Mobility is dedicated to reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for its vehicles, offering reliable and sustainable solutions for operators. Future electric commercial vehicles will prioritise class-leading payload capacity, volumetric space, seating capacity, enhanced performance and range, and longer aggregate life with extended warranties.
